Upfront The latest in aviation and industrial news from around the world READ MORE Acting Executive President’s update Pilot apprenticeship set for take-off The first apprenticeship standard for commercial airline pilots in the UK – developed by a group of leading aviation employers and organisations – has been approved for delivery. Developed by the Aviation Industry Skills Board specialist sub-group, the apprenticeship standard has the backing of BALPA and the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, and is supported by leading aviation employers including British Airways, Flybe, EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic Airways. We have previously raised concerns over the phenomenally high cost of pilot training, which can run to £100,000 or more, meaning we could be losing out on talented potential pilots from less affluent backgrounds. Piloting should be an equal opportunities career; we hope the new pilot apprenticeship programme will make that a reality for more people. Flybe sale In January, Connect Airways Limited, a company bringing together Virgin Atlantic Limited, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital, announced it had reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer for Flybe. The new company will also acquire Stobart Air. We’re pleased to see the previous uncertainty of the company is, at last, starting to clear, but the hard work has just begun. There has been no consultation with us from Flybe, so we don’t know whether the deal on offer is good news or not – the jury is out. We now need reassurances on how the takeover will progress, and whether this will have any effect on pilot jobs. Industry snapshots 20% The proportion of British pilots who profiled high burnout symptoms 96% The percentage of pilots who return to flying after being signed off with depression 34-44 The average age of pilots who report the lowest wellbeing The centenary of transatlantic flight The Log straight to your tablet or mobile Congratulations if you’re reading this on your tablet or mobile – you’ve clearly discovered the new Log app! Following growing member feedback that you’d like an electronic way to read The Log, we have worked to fulfil this request. Our new app will give us the ability to include more images, video content and links. We’re hoping this will lead to extra advertising revenue (which helps us keep costs down) if we can offer the option of video advertising, too. Members now have the choice as to how they would like to view BALPA’s latest news and features. If you’d like to switch to the app instead of your printed subscription, just let us know. You can also read the magazine online at http://portfolio.cpl.co.uk/The-Log A unique aviation centenary will be celebrated this year: the first non-stop transatlantic flight. John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown left St John’s, Newfoundland, on Saturday 14th June 1919, arriving the next morning near Clifden on Co Galway’s Atlantic coast. Their aircraft was a product of World War I, hastily repurposed for a grand aviation challenge to connect east and west by air. Beset by unforeseen challenges, some of which still resonate for pilots today, theirs was the first successful attempt in the face of strong competition. It ended in a highly unusual manner that intertwines their story with that of another technology pioneer: Guglielmo Marconi. A festival of events takes place on 12-16th June 2019 in Clifden. Find out more at https://alcockandbrown100.com Drone airport chaos leads to tougher rules You were, no doubt, following the chaos caused at Gatwick and Heathrow around Christmas and the new year, indeed, some of you may have been affected by it. While the disruption was terrible for passengers and workers alike, the level of chaos gave BALPA a great chance to reiterate our calls regarding drones – and stick in a bit of an “I told you so” as well. Although the drones in question were already breaking the law, we took the opportunity to highlight how lax the current regulations were, and how we felt that this demonstrated just how careless the Government had been towards the drone issue. In the wake of the incidents, the Government realised more needed to be done, and has since announced an expansion of the restriction zone and increased police powers. It is now investing in drone-detection trials at airports – something we have welcomed. NEWS Upfront The latest in aviation and industrial news from around the world READ MORE Acting Executive President’s update Welcome to the spring edition of The Log. I want to highlight two of the features that you will read about. First, the issue of pilot mental health. While mental health issues are not new, our understanding, support and effective treatment of people who suffer is thankfully evolving, both in our industry and in society as a whole. The Germanwings tragedy put pilot mental health very much in the forefront of the thinking of all involved in aviation. BALPA has long been an advocate of support systems but, over the years, has been rather frustrated by others. However, EASA and employers have now come to realise the importance of help and support for those who need it. BALPA has been instrumental in the inception of new and effective peer support programmes, and is heavily involved in both national and international initiatives to ensure support systems are available to all. There is still much work to be done, but we must ensure those who need effective help and support receive it without fear for their employment or of any stigma attached. BALPA launched its maternity pay campaign last month at Westminster. It is clear maternity provision is woefully inadequate in our industry. It is scandalous that pilots should potentially be put in a position of having to choose between a career and motherhood. It is not unusual for a female pilot to be the main wage earner in a family, and the current provision isn’t acceptable. We are not forgetting dads – paternity pay is also on our radar – but we’re starting with maternity pay. Keep an eye on the campaign. Safe flying, Paul Naylor, BALPA NEC Acting Executive President and easyJet captain